By Carmen Vela
Staff Writer
At the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, assistant professor and activity course coordinator Kim Thornton, believes fitness education can shape students’ well-being far beyond just the classroom.
Thornton, who teaches at UMHB’s School of Exercise and Sport Science, coordinates activity classes that are a part of the university’s core curriculum. Every student pursuing a degree at UMHB must complete at least two activity courses to complete their graduation requirements.
“I teach everything from spinning to yoga to helping with our CrossFit class to lifetime fitness, pickleball and all classes like that,” said Thornton.
Thornton is teaching fitness classes designed to keep students active and help them develop lifelong vitality habits. Thornton believes the goal for these courses is not simply to meet a graduation requirement but to encourage students to prioritize their physical and mental health during college and carry it on into their lives.
“I think activity and fitness are beneficial for every person,” said Thornton. “We see studies that show how wonderful our health is physically, emotionally and mentally when we engage in activity and physical fitness.”
College students’ schedules can quickly become overwhelming, and Thornton highlighted how exercise is often one of the first habits students abandon. Through the activity classes, she hopes students can build routines and create mental and physical wellness. .
Some students were athletes in high school but sometimes struggle to maintain a workout routine without a team environment. “We have the opportunity through these classes to help them learn how to work out for themselves and make that a part of their life as they go throughout their career,” Thornton said.
Thornton also focuses on the connection between fitness and wellness, emphasizing that regular activity can positively impact mental and emotional health during the demanding college years. Her teaching approach is shaped not only by her professional background but also by her Christian faith.
“It’s truly my desire that my faith in God influences every single thing I do,” Thornton said. “I look to God and to Jesus and the Holy Spirit for help in every encounter I have with students.” Thornton said her ultimate goal is to encourage students both in and outside of the classroom, while having a faith-based approach on their lives. “If I only had one piece of advice to leave them with,” Thornton said, “I would hope that every student I come across would receive the salvation that God offers through his son Jesus Christ.”
